Hinge lid cigarette packets

ABSTRACT

A hinge lid cigarette packet has an upper lid and a lower lid. The packet is constructed from a blank which is of a configuration which is symmetrical about the longitudinal centerline thereof. The upper lid is formed, in conventional fashion, of specifically lid panels of the blank, whereas the lower lid is formed of portions of what in a conventional single hinge lid packet are body panels. In order for the second lid to be moved from its closed position on the first opening thereof, front and side panels of the lid are separated at lines of weakening from bounding body panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates to hinge lid cigarette packets comprisingfirst and second, opposing lids.

In the tobacco industry so-called hinge lid packets are widely used forthe packaging of cigarettes. These packets comprise a body, essentiallyin the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, and a lid hingedly securedat the upper end of the body. It is usual for such packets to furthercomprise a neck part which projects upwardly from the front and sidewalls of the body such as to be received within the lid when the lid isin the closed position thereof.

There have also become known hinge lid packets comprising two lids,these being respectively disposed at the upper and lower ends of thebody.

An example of a hinge lid cigarette packet comprising two lids isdisclosed in EP 380 898. The blank for this packet is of a generally Tconfiguration with the “stem” of the T comprising a minor portion of theblank. At either end of the major portion of the blank (the “crossing”of the T) are disposed those panels which provide the lids in theerected packet. In the erected packet one side wall of the body iscomprised of two, superimposed panels, i.e. it is of double thickness,whereas the other side wall of the body is provided by only one panel,i.e. it is of single thickness. By contrast, both side walls of each ofthe lids are of double thickness. Thus the erected pack is of anunattractive inherent asymmetry. Furthermore, the T configured blank is,in comparison to the generally rectangular blank of a conventionalhinged lid packet, wasteful of cartonboard.

Disclosed in EP 625 469 is a packet blank for a two lidded hinge lidpacket intended for holding special cigarettes. Although this packet canbe produced from a packet blank which is generally of a rectangularconfiguration, the erected packet is not strictly symmetrical inconstruction since, as with the packet of EP 380 898, one of the bodyside walls is of single thickness and the other is of double thickness.

Known from U.S Pat. No 5,074,412 is a cigarette packed with upper andlower hinged lids and comprising a wall which serves to divide theinterior of the body into upper and lower chambers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the subject invention is to provide a hinge lid cigarettepacket with two opposed hinged lids, disposed at the top and bottom endsrespectively of the erected packet, the blank of which packet is of avery simple configuration which differs only slightly from conventionalblanks for conventional hinge lid cigarette packets.

The subject invention provides a hinge lid cigarette packet comprising abody and first and second hinged lids disposed at respective opposedends of the packet, said body together with said lids being formed froma unitary blank, which blank is of a configuration symmetrical about alengthwise centreline of the blank, front and side walls of said firstlid being provided by panels of said blank which in said blank are otherthan in abutting attachment to body panels of said blank, whereas frontand side walls of said second lid are provided by panels which in saidblank abut and are attached along lines of weakness to body panels ofsaid blank, the first opening of said second lid being permitted byseparation of the respective lid and body panels along said lines ofweakness.

The subject invention renders possible, for the purpose of producing ahinge lid packet with two lids, the use of punched blanks which in theouter configuration thereof scarcely differ, if at all, from a blank ofa conventional hinge lid packet. Consequently, the packaging machineswhich are normally used can continue to be used for handling the packetblanks according to the invention without the need for majormodifications. The hinge lid packet produced is not obviously differentin appearance from a conventional hinge lid packet. The second lidsection is only prepared by means of appropriate lines of weakening ofthe packet blank, its realisation and use as an additional lid beingeffected only by the user, for example through the breaking of residualjoints of special punched lines of the packet blank.

Furthermore, the invention enables hinge lid packets with two lids to befashioned in a very economical manner.

The hinge of the second lid can be located on either the front or backof the packet. If the hinge is located on the front of the packet, thento the purchaser the front and the back of the packet have the sameappearance, so that it is only upon closer inspection that it isapparent to the purchaser that the packet has two lids.

It is preferable for a neck insert to be assigned to each of the twolids respectively, but it is also possible for the neck inserts to befashioned as a common, unitary insert, particularly when both hinges forthe lids are located on the back of the packet.

The neck insert assigned to a lid preferably comprises a cutout,laterally offset relative to the axis of symmetry of the packet, as aregion for the removal of cigarettes. The remaining region of the neckinsert may comprise a fold-over barrier region. This enables thepurchaser to remove the cigarettes via the neck insert cutout, while thecigarettes covered by the barrier region remain inaccessible, orsubstantially inaccessible. These latter cigarettes can be removed fromthe other end of the packet, the neck insert at that end comprising acutout which is assigned to these cigarettes. This improves theassignment of cigarette types to respective sides of the packet, itbeing possible to further enhance the assignment by paper wrapping thetwo cigarette types as two separate blocks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the subject invention may be clearly understood andreadily carried into effect, reference is now made, by way of example,to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a hinge lid cigarette packet with two lidsdisposed respectively at the upper and the lower ends of the packet;

FIG. 2 shows a blank for fashioning the packet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a hinge lid cigarette packet differingsomewhat from the packet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a blank for the packet of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 shows two neck insert blanks.

N.B. In respect of FIGS. 2 and 4, pairs of features of the blanks whichare “mirror images” one of the other are assigned the same referencenumeral although, to avoid an undue multitude of reference numerals, thecommon reference numeral for a pair of “mirror image” features appearsin the figures only in respect of one of the features of the pair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The cigarette packet depicted in FIG. 1 comprises a body 1, a first,upper lid 2 and a second, lower lid 3. Reference numerals 4 and 5designate the respective hinge lines of the lids 2 and 3. In FIG. 1 eachof the lids 2, 3 is shown in an open position.

The packet of FIG. 1 further comprises upper and lower neck inserts 6and 7.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, when each ofthe lids 2, 3 is in the closed position thereof, the packet isexteriorly a rectangular parallelepiped in form.

The blank (FIG. 2) for fashioning the cigarette packet of FIG. 1 isconfigured symmetrically in the packaging machine feed direction, theouter form of the blank corresponding to that of a blank of aconventional hinge lid cigarette packet. The blank comprises an upperportion from which is fashioned the upper lid 2. A panel 8 forms thefront of the lid 2, while a panel 9 forms the back of the lid 2. Panels11, 12 provide lid inner flaps which are folded inwards and are glued tothe inner face of the top (13) of the lid 2 and to the inner faces ofthe sides 10 of the lid 2 respectively. For this purpose there areprovided cut lines 15 (shown in bold) which separate the panels 10 andthe lid top panel 13 from the panel flaps 11. A panel 38, which servesas a reinforcement for the front edge of the lid 2, is folded over bymeans of a fold line 14. The panels 10, 11, 12 are folded on fold line37. In the erected packet, the fold lines designated 16 form the upperedges of the sides of the lid 2.

To prevent problems in closing the lid 2, cutouts 18 are providedbetween each body side panel 19 and the associated lid inner flap 12.

The back of the body 1 is formed by panels 17 and 24, the panel 17 beingdivided from the panel 24 by a punched line 28. The line 28 runstransversely over the back of the body 1 and also divides the body sidepanels 19 from body side panels 20. The punched line 28 is essentially aline of cut which, however, comprises residual joints, provided by uncutwebs of material, for the purpose of initially holding together thepanels extending at each side of the line 28.

In respect of the packet as first erected, a panel 25 provides thepacket base and panels 26 and 27 provide the front of the packet body.The hinge line 5 provides the boundary between the panels 26 and 27.Outer body side panels 22 and 23 are divided one from the other by apunched line 33, which line 33 comprises residual joints. Inner flaps21, which are separated by cutting lines 29 from the panels 22 and thepanel 25 and are joined to the panels 20 by fold line 32, are foldedinwards when the packet is folded up and glued, being glued to the basepanel 25.

The cigarette packet is fashioned from the blank of FIG. 2 by beingfolded up and glued in known manner. In the vertical direction of theupright packet, this folding is wholly symmetrical owing to the factthat the packet blank is configured absolutely symmetrically in relationto the longitudinal centreline thereof.

Whereas the first, upper lid 2 of the finished packet hinges from theclosed to an open position in the normal manner, the second, lower lid 3is initially still rigidly joined to the body 1 at the punched lines 28and 33 by means of the residual material joints of these lines. Thepurchaser of a packet can, however, open the second lid 3 by causingbreakage of the residual material joints of the punched lines 28 and 33.

The line 5 remains as a fold line and forms the hinge for the second lid3. The hinging action is aided by the fact that the line 5 is formed asa scored line, as is the hinge line 4. In order to prevent edge damage,the hinge lines 4 and 5 are provided with inclined end incisions 34 and35 respectively.

When the upper lid 2 is closed, the fold line 14 of the finished packetabuts on upper edge 30 of body front panel 27, whereas the upper edge ofthe panel 24 of the lower lid 3 abuts, when lid 3 is closed, on thelower edge of the body back panel 17 at the location of the punched line28.

Although the upper edge of the panel 24 lacks a reinforcementcorresponding to that provided by the panel 38 to the lower edge of thepanel 8, this is not disadvantageous since the cigarette packet is inany case a special packet in which preferably only half the number ofcigarettes of a conventional hinge lid packet is assigned to each of thelids, so that the frequency of opening each of the lids is half thatrespecting the single lid of a conventional packet.

Whereas FIG. 1 shows a cigarette packet with two lids the hinges ofwhich are disposed opposite one another on the front and back faces ofthe packet, FIG. 3 shows a cigarette packet with two lids the hinges ofwhich are disposed on the same side, i.e. the back, of the packet. Inthis latter case the second, lower lid 3 is joined to the packet body 1by means of a hinge 39. When the packet is closed, the upper front edgeof the lid 3 abuts on the edge 40 of the packet body 1.

The packet blank according to FIG. 4, i.e. that for the packet of FIG.3, is essentially the same as the packet blank of FIG. 2 with thedifference that the fold and punched lines 39, 40, 42 have a differentorientation, as does cut line 44 in comparison with cut line 29 of theFIG. 2 blank. In this case, the line 39 forms the hinge of the lower lid3 and divides panels 17 and 43. The panel 43 provides the back of thelower lid 3 in the finished packet. The front of the lid 3 is formed bypanel 46, which is divided from the panel 27 by the punched line 40.

Incisions 34, 41 are provided in respect of the lines 4 and 39respectively.

In the packet formed from the FIG. 4 blank the fold line 45 forms thelower front edge of the lower lid 3.

The form of neck insert blank shown in FIG. 5 can be used for either ofthe just described cigarette packets, i.e. to provide the neck inserts 6and 7 of FIGS. 1 and 3. As is conventional with the neck inserts ofhinge lid cigarette packets, the inserts 6, 7 are received in and aresecured to the packet body 1 and extend outwardly of the body 1, theportions of the respective inserts 6, 7 outwith the body 1 beingreceived respectively in the lids 2, 3 when the lids 2, 3 are in theclosed positions thereof.

Each of the neck inserts comprises a middle panel 51 and side panels 50,52. Those portions of the side panels 50, 52 which extend within body 1of a packet lie against inner surfaces of respective side wall panels ofthe body 1. To facilitate the removal of a cigarette, a removal cutout48 is provided in the panel 51, which cutout is offset in relation tothe longitudinal line of symmetry of the cigarette packet. To the otherside of the neck insert from the cutout 48 the insert comprises abarrier flap 49 which is folded over in order to make it clear to theconsumer that cigarettes should be removed solely via the cutout 48,while the cigarettes covered by the barrier flap 49 should be removedfrom the other end of the packet, disposition of the cutout 48 beingreversed at that end in relation to the line of symmetry of the packet.

FIG. 5 shows two neck insert blanks arranged one above the other inorder to demonstrate that edge regions thereof are matched to oneanother in such a way that the inserts can be stamped from a continuousstrip of cartonboard without waste.

Although FIG. 5 shows a neck insert which is assigned to only one lid ineach case, the invention also includes single-piece neck inserts whichhave a configuration on one end which is assigned to the first lid andon the other end are configured for assignment to the second lid.Following its insertion in the packet, such a neck insert then forms therespective neck insert regions assigned to the two lids.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hinge lid cigarette packet comprising: a body;and first and second hinged lids disposed at respective opposed ends ofthe body, said body together with said lids being formed from a unitaryblank, which blank is of a configuration symmetrical about a lengthwisecenterline of the blank; wherein front and side walls of said first lidare provided by panels of said blank which in said blank are other thanin abutting attachment to body panels of said blank, whereas front andside walls of said second lid are provided by panels which in said blankabut and are attached along lines of weakness to body panels of saidblank, whereby the first opening of said second lid is permitted byseparation of the respective lid and body panels along said lines ofweakness.
 2. A packet according to claim 1 in which the hinge line ofsaid first lid extends transversely at the back of said packet and thehinge line of said second lid extends transversely at the front of saidpacket.
 3. A packet according to claim 1 wherein the respective hingelines of said first and second lids both extend transversely at the backof said packet.
 4. A packet according to claim 1 further comprisingfirst and second neck inserts each received in said body, said firstinsert extending from said body and being received into said first lidwhen said first lid is in the closed position thereof, and said secondinsert extending from said body and being received into said second lidwhen said second lid is in the closed position thereof.
 5. A packetaccording to claim 2 further comprising first and second neck inserts,each received in said body, said first insert extending from said bodyand being received into said first lid when said first lid is in theclosed position thereof, and said second insert extending from said bodyand being received into said second lid when said second lid is in theclosed position thereof.
 6. A packet according to claim 3 furthercomprising first and second neck inserts, each received in said body,said first insert extending from said body and being received into saidfirst lid when said first lid is in the closed position thereof, andsaid second insert extending from said body and being received into saidsecond lid when said second lid is in the closed position thereof.
 7. Apacket according to claim 4 in which the portion of each of said insertswhich extends from said body comprises a cigarette access cutout, thecutout of said first insert being located to one side of said packet andthe cutout of said second insert being located to the other side of thepacket.
 8. A packet according to claim 7 in which each of said insertscomprises a barrier means to the side of said packet opposite that sideat which said cutout is located.
 9. A packet according to claim 8 inwhich said first and second inserts are unitary, one with the other. 10.A cigarette packet formed from a unitary blank of symmetricalconfiguration, said packet comprising: a body; and first and second lidshingedly attached at respective opposed ends of the body, such that whensaid lids are closed, said packet is in the form of a rectangularparallelepiped; wherein said body together with said lids are formedfrom a unitary blank, which blank is of a configuration symmetricalabout a lengthwise centerline of the blank; wherein front and side wallsof said first lid are provided by panels of said blank which in saidblank are other than in abutting attachment to body panels of saidblank, whereas front and side walls of said second lid are provided bypanels which in said blank abut and are attached along lines of weaknessto body panels of said blank, whereby the initial opening of said secondlid is accomplished by separation of the respective lid and body panelsalong said lines of weakness.
 11. A packet according to claim 10 inwhich the hinge line of said first lid extends transversely at the backof said packet and the hinge line of said second lid extendstransversely at the front of said packet.
 12. A packet according toclaim 10 wherein the respective hinge lines of said first and secondlids both extend transversely at the back of said packet.
 13. A packetaccording to claim 10 further comprising first and second neck inserts.,each received in said body, said first insert extending from said bodyand being received into said first lid when said first lid is in theclosed position thereof, and said second insert extending from said bodyand being received into said second lid when said second lid is in theclosed position thereof.
 14. A packet according to claim 12 furthercomprising first and second neck inserts, each received in said body,said first insert extending from said body and being received into saidfirst lid when said first lid is in the closed position thereof, andsaid second insert extending from said body and being received into saidsecond lid when said second lid is in the closed position thereof.
 15. Apacket according to claim 13 in which the portion of each of saidinserts which extends from said body comprises a cigarette accesscutout, the cutout of said first insert being located to one side ofsaid packet and the cutout of said second insert being located to theother side of the packet.
 16. A packet according to claim 15 in whicheach of said inserts comprises a barrier means to the side of saidpacket opposite that side at which said cutout is located.
 17. A packetaccording to claim 16 in which said first and second inserts areunitary, one with the other.
 18. A cigarette packet formed from aunitary blank of symmetrical configuration, said packet comprising: abody; and first and second lids hingedly attached at respective opposedends of the body, such that when said lids are closed, said packet is inthe form of a rectangular parallelepiped; wherein said body togetherwith said lids are formed from a unitary blank, which blank is of aconfiguration symmetrical about a longitundinal centerline of the blankwhereby the packet is formed by folding the blank in a symmetricalmanner in relation to said longitudinal centerline of said blank;wherein front and side walls of said first lid are provided by panels ofsaid blank which in said blank are other than in abutting attachment tobody panels of said blank, whereas front and side walls of said secondlid are provided by panels which in said blank abut and are attachedalong lines of weakness to body panels of said blank, whereby the firstopening of said second lid is accomplished by separation of therespective lid and body panels along said lines of weakness.
 19. Thepacket according to claim 18 further comprising first and second neckinserts, each received in said body, said first insert extending fromsaid body and being received into said first lid when said first lid isin the closed position thereof, and said second insert extending fromsaid body and being received into said second lid when said second lidis in the closed position thereof.
 20. The packet according to claim 14in which the portion of each of said inserts which extends from saidbody comprises a cigarette access cutout, the cutout of said firstinsert being located to one side of said packet and the cutout of saidsecond insert being located to the other side of the packet.